Brandon Re-Cap

Happy Monday to everyone,

My apologies for Manitoba weather to those who came in for the games from elsewhere... (thinking of Ken Eller, and Dave Bowman especially)

Despite an election, a military success, a royal wedding, and the announcement of a disturbing trade for the Selkirk Steelers, I have nothing but results to report.

I'm happy to say everyone had a terrific weekend despite the blizzard. Weather was sketchy on saturday but the whole organization made it out to the Brandon Highland Festival for some good old fashioned competition.

I was especially nervous this weekend. Not only had the April plague of exams rendered our drum corp less than my level of up to snuff, but we were taking on two of the best drummers Manitoba has produced.

City of Regina made the trip and we got a look at half of their drum corp. But what a half!!! Blair "Buz" Brown, Ian Aastrom (former l/d in Regina), and Roland Reid (former l/d of my corp). Little intimidating.

Needless to say the corp rose to the occasion, and I'm very pleased with the results. Out of 8 possible placings we won 6. Falling short in the drumming mark in the MSR as well as splitting the piping.

However, on the topic of MSR, I once again feel great pride in our band as a whole, despite our 2nd place in drumming, we won ensemble... Thus the tie is broken by ensemble preference and we come out on top. Saved by the Ensemble again.

What's a pipe corp without a drumcorp?... undynamic... What's a drumcorp with out a pipecorp?... unmelodic... What's a pipe band? A wonderful combination of two sections making up for eachothers short comings.

On another pleasing note we took straight firsts in the medley contest, I'm very pleased with that.

What's next? Further prep. Our concert is coming up in June, we have another contest at the end of May, the grade 3 band is on the road to Minnesota in two weeks, and of course, Scotland is coming up.

Well that's all, I suppose I'd better mention I got engaged Easter weekend, if I don't and Angie reads this I'll be skinned :) we're very excited, and I'm very lucky. As Reid Maxwell once told me, "find one who never asks when you're going to grow out of this pipe band thing"... thanks Reid, sage advice!

Cheers,

Sean